Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your history of knee problems and will press on areas of your knee and move your leg into a variety of positions to help rule out other conditions that have similar signs and symptoms.

X-rays. A small amount of radiation passes through your body in the process of creating X-ray images. This technique visualizes bone well, but it is less effective at viewing soft tissues.

CT scans. These combine X-ray images from various angles to create cross-sectional images of internal structures. CT scans can visualize both bone and soft tissues, but the procedure delivers a much higher dose of radiation than do plain X-rays.

MRI. Using radio waves and a strong magnetic field, MRIs produce detailed images of bones and soft tissues, such as the knee ligaments and cartilage. But MRIs are much more expensive than X-rays or CT scans.

Treatment

Treatment of patellofemoral pain often begins with simple measures. Rest your knee as much as possible. Avoid or modify activities that increase the pain, such as climbing stairs, kneeling or squatting.

Medications

Therapy

A physical therapist might suggest:

Rehabilitation exercises. Specific exercises can strengthen the muscles that support your knees and control limb alignment, such as your quadriceps, hamstrings and the muscles around your hips, especially hip abductors. Correcting inward movement of the knee during squatting is a primary goal.

Surgical and other procedures

Arthroscopy. During this procedure, the doctor inserts a pencil-thin device equipped with a camera lens and light (arthroscope) into your knee through a tiny incision. Surgical instruments are passed through the arthroscope to remove fragments of damaged cartilage.

Realignment. In more-severe cases, a surgeon may need to operate on your knee to realign the angle of the kneecap or relieve pressure on the cartilage.

Preparing for your appointment

You might start by seeing your primary care provider. Or you might be referred to a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist (physiatrist), physical therapist, orthopedic surgeon, or a sports medicine specialist.

Here's information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

Before your appointment, write a list of answers for the following questions:

Your symptoms and when they began.

Key personal information, including whether you've ever injured your knee or had knee surgery and what type of exercise or sports you engage in.

All medications, vitamins or supplements you take, including doses.

Questions to ask your doctor.

Take a family member or friend along, if possible, to help you remember the information you're given. Also, if you've had X-rays or other imaging tests of your knees, try to bring copies of them to your appointment.

Bogla LA, et al. An update for the conservative management of patellofemoral pain syndrome: A systematic review of the literature from 2000 to 2010. The International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 2011;6:112.

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